U.S. patent application number 15/466521 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for auxiliary power unit inlet apparatus and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Boeing Company. Invention is credited to David S. Chambers, Paul R. Tretow, Robert H. Willie.
Application Number | 20170190439 15/466521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50884236 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170190439 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tretow; Paul R. ; et
al. |
July 6, 2017 |
AUXILIARY POWER UNIT INLET APPARATUS AND METHODS
Abstract
Auxiliary power unit inlet apparatus and methods are disclosed.
An example apparatus includes an aircraft including a fuselage, the
fuselage including an air inlet including a first sub-inlet and a
second sub-inlet separated from the first sub-inlet; and a door
coupled along the air inlet to enable air to separably flow into
the first sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet, the door to deter the
air from flowing between the first sub-inlet and the second
sub-inlet.
Inventors: |
Tretow; Paul R.; (Mukilteo,
WA) ; Chambers; David S.; (Bellevue, WA) ;
Willie; Robert H.; (Mill Creek, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Boeing Company |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50884236 |
Appl. No.: |
15/466521 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13952219 |
Jul 26, 2013 |
9611050 |
|
|
15466521 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02C 7/04 20130101; F05D
2220/50 20130101; B64D 33/02 20130101; F02C 7/042 20130101; B64D
2033/0213 20130101; B64D 41/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B64D 33/02 20060101
B64D033/02; F02C 7/042 20060101 F02C007/042; B64D 41/00 20060101
B64D041/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: an aircraft including a fuselage, the
fuselage including an air inlet including a first sub-inlet and a
second sub-inlet separated from the first sub-inlet; and a door
coupled along the air inlet to enable air to flow into the first
sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet, the door to deter the air from
flowing between the first sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the door is to deter corner
vortices from forming at the coupling between the door and the air
inlet when the door is in an open position.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the door includes a first
panel that extends from a first side of the door and a second panel
that extends from a second side of the door, the first and second
panels to extend toward the air inlet when the door is in the open
position to deter the corner vortices from forming at the
coupling.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first panel at least
partially covers a first corner formed between the door and the
fuselage when the door is in the open position, the second panel at
least partially covers a second corner formed between the door and
the fuselage when the door is in the open position.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, further including a third panel
extending from the door into one of the first sub-inlet or the
second sub-inlet to deter the air from flowing between the first
sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a fourth panel that
separates the first sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet, the third
panel overlapping the fourth panel when the door is in the open
position to deter the air from flowing between the first sub-inlet
and the second sub-inlet.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third panel is to
substantially prevent a total pressure recovery reduction for the
first sub-inlet when the first sub-inlet is operating at a higher
mass flow rate than the second sub-inlet.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the first panel, the
second panel, and the third panel are substantially parallel to one
another.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a contour of the third panel
is substantially different than either of a contour of the first
panel and a contour of the second panel.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third panel extends
forward of the first panel and the second panel when the door is in
the open position.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sub-inlet includes
an auxiliary power unit inlet and the second sub-inlet includes an
auxiliary power unit cooling duct inlet.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an actuator to
actuate the door between the open position and a closed
position.
13. An apparatus, comprising: an aircraft including a fuselage, the
fuselage including an air inlet including a first sub-inlet and a
second sub-inlet separated from the first sub-inlet; and means for
deterring air from flowing between the first sub-inlet and the
second sub-inlet.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for deterring air
from flowing between the first sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet
includes a door having a panel extending from the door into one of
the first sub-inlet or the second sub-inlet to deter the air from
flowing between the first sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the panel is a first panel,
wherein the means for deterring air from flowing between the first
sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet includes a second panel that
separates the first sub-inlet and the second sub-inlet, the first
panel overlapping the second panel when the door is in the open
position to deter the air from flowing between the first sub-inlet
and the second sub-inlet.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further including means for
deterring corner vortices from forming at a coupling between the
door and the air inlet when the door is in the open position.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for deterring
corner vortices from forming at the coupling between the door and
the air inlet when the door is in the open position includes a
third panel and a fourth panel, the third panel extending from a
first side of the door toward the first sub-inlet when the door is
in the open position, the fourth panel extending from a second side
of the door toward the second sub-inlet when the door is in the
open position.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, further including an actuator to
actuate the door between the open position and a closed
position.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a contour of the first panel
is substantially different than either of a contour of the second
panel and a contour of the third panel.
20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first panel extends
forward of the second panel and the third panel when the door is in
the open position.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/952,219, filed Jul. 26, 2013. Priority is
claimed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/952,219. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/952,219 is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to auxiliary power unit
inlets and, more particularly, to auxiliary power unit inlet
apparatus and methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some aircraft include auxiliary power units (APUs) that
provide electrical and/or pneumatic power to the aircraft. In some
examples, these APUs can be used to start the primary engines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 depicts an example aircraft in which an example
auxiliary power unit inlet apparatus in accordance with the
teachings of this disclosure can be implemented.
[0005] FIG. 2 depicts a portion of the aircraft of FIG. 1 having
the example auxiliary unit inlet apparatus.
[0006] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict different isometric views of the
example auxiliary power unit inlet apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 in
accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the example auxiliary power
unit inlet apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the
teachings of this disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view of the example auxiliary
power unit inlet apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 having an actuator to
actuate an example door between an open position and a closed
position.
[0009] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to
refer to the same or like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The examples disclosed herein relate to air inlet apparatus
for vehicles (e.g., airplanes, aircraft, etc.) having two or more
air flow paths that prevent and/or minimize adverse effects due to
differences in inlet airflows. In some examples, the air inlet
apparatus is an auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet apparatus having
first and second air flow paths separated by a divider or panel.
The first air flow path may be associated with an APU inlet and the
second air flow path may be associated with an eductor and/or an
APU cooling duct.
[0011] To substantially direct fluid flow into the respective air
flow paths, the example air inlet apparatus includes an example
door or flap that is movably and/or hingably coupled adjacent an
inlet aperture of the air inlet apparatus. In some examples, the
door includes first and second side flaps and a second divider
and/or isolation panel extending from an interior surface of the
door and positioned between the first and second side flaps.
[0012] When the aircraft is on the ground, the first and second
side flaps substantially prevent corner vortices from forming
between lateral edges of the door and an outer skin of the
airplane. If such corner vortices form and/or enter the air flow
paths, the efficiency of an auxiliary power unit (APU) to which the
air inlet apparatus is coupled may be decreased. When the aircraft
is airborne, the first and second side flaps substantially prevent
air from spilling around the inlet aperture. Thus, the first and
second side flaps enable more air to flow into the air flow
paths.
[0013] In some examples, the isolation panel, which is positioned
between the side flaps, substantially prevents fluid from flowing
across the interior surface of the door between the first air flow
path and the second air flow path. Thus, one of the air flow paths
can operate at a mass flow rate significantly higher than the other
without negatively effecting the operation of the lower mass flow
rate flow path. Enabling the air flow paths to operate at different
mass flow rates without substantial interference enables a total
pressure recovery to be increased and/or a flow distortion to be
decreased in either and/or both of the lower mass flow rate flow
path and/or the higher mass flow rate flow path.
[0014] To enable the door to be stowed and/or retracted and/or to
prevent fluid flow into the first and/or second air flow paths, the
first and second side flaps and/or the isolation panel may be
received within the inlet aperture. In some examples, when the door
is in the closed position, the isolation panel is positioned
adjacent the first divider and/or the door substantially prevents
air from entering the first and/or second flow paths.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example aircraft 100 having an example
air inlet apparatus 202 (FIG. 2) in accordance with the teachings
of this disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed view of the
example aircraft 100 and the apparatus 202. In some examples, the
apparatus 202 includes a door 204 hingably coupled adjacent an
inlet aperture 205 of the apparatus 202. In this example, the door
204 includes first, second and third inwardly extending fins,
dividers, panels and/or flaps 206, 208, 210 that, for example,
assist in directing fluid flow within the inlet aperture 205 and,
specifically, first and second air flow paths 212, 214. While the
door 204 is being shown as having the first and third dividers 206,
210, in other examples, the door 204 may not include the first and
third dividers 206, 210. While the apparatus 202 is being shown as
having two air flow paths, in other examples, the apparatus 202 may
have any number of flow paths (e.g., 3, 4, etc.). In some examples,
the first and second air flow paths 212, 214 are separated by an
outwardly extending fin, divider and/or flap 216 at least partially
positioned within the inlet aperture 205. In some examples, the
first and second air flow paths 212, 214 are associated with an APU
inlet and an eductor and/or APU cooling duct, respectively.
[0016] In some examples and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first
and third dividers 206, 210 have flanges 302, 304 that are coupled
to an interior surface 306 of the door 204. In some examples, the
first and third dividers 206, 210 are positioned adjacent opposing
lateral edges 308, 310 of the door 204 and have angled surfaces
312, 314 and/or rounded surfaces 316, 318 that at least partially
cover corners 320, 322 formed between the lateral edges 308, 310
and a surface (e.g., an outer airplane skin) 324 surrounding the
inlet aperture 205 when the door 204 is in an open position (e.g.,
shown in FIG. 3). While FIG. 3 depicts the door 204 in a particular
open position, the door 204 may be positioned at various open
positions and/or angles relative to the surface 324. In some
examples, covering the corners 320, 320 substantially prevents
corner vortices from entering the first and/or second air flow
paths 212, 214 and/or from forming at the corners 320, 322 when the
aircraft 100 is on the ground. Additionally or alternatively, in
some examples, the first and third dividers 206, 210 substantially
prevent air from spilling around the inlet aperture 205 when the
aircraft 100 is in the air. Thus, the first and third dividers 206,
210 substantially increase the efficiency of the apparatus 202 and
the aircraft 100 both on the ground and in the air.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 4, in some examples, the second divider
208 has a flange 402 that is coupled to the interior surface 306
between the first and third dividers 206, 210. In this example, to
enable the door 204 to close and the second divider 208 to be
received within the inlet aperture 205, the second divider 208 is
off-set relative to the outwardly extending divider 216. However,
in other examples, the second divider 208 can be received within
the divider 216 or the divider 216 can be received within the
second divider 208.
[0018] In some examples, to enable the first and second flow paths
212, 214 to operate more independently, an end and/or a portion 404
of the second divider 208 extends into the inlet aperture 205 past
an edge 406 of the outwardly extending divider 216, thereby
effectively separating the first flow path 212 from the second flow
path 214. More specifically, in this example, the second divider
208 enables the first flow path 212 to operate at a lower mass flow
rate without being negatively affected by the second flow path 214
operating at a higher mass flow rate or to enable the second flow
path 214 to operate at a lower mass flow rate without being
negatively affected by the first flow path 212 operating at a
higher mass flow rate, for example. Enabling the first and second
flow paths 212, 214 to operate at different mass flow rates without
substantially interfering with one another enables a total pressure
recovery to be increased and a flow distortion to be decreased for
the lower mass flow rate flow path (e.g., 212, 214) and/or for a
total pressure recovery and a flow distortion for the lower mass
flow rate flow path (e.g., 212, 214) to not be substantially
affected and/or reduced by the higher mass flow rate flow path
(e.g., 212, 214). Additionally and/or alternatively, enabling the
first and second flow paths 212, 214 to operate at different mass
flow rates without interfering with one another enables a total
pressure recovery to be increased and/or a flow distortion to be
decreased in either and/or both of the lower mass flow rate flow
path (e.g., 212, 214) and/or the higher mass flow rate flow path
(e.g., 212, 214).
[0019] Depending on the status of the aircraft 100 (e.g., on the
ground or in the air), the first flow path 212 or the second flow
path 214 may have the higher mass flow rate.
[0020] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the apparatus 202 and FIG. 6
depicts the apparatus 202 having an actuator 602 coupled between
the door 204 and a surface 604 of the inlet aperture 205. The
actuator 602 is configured to cause the door 204 to open or close
based on commands received. While an actuator is shown in FIG. 6,
in other examples, the actuator may not be provided.
[0021] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above
disclosed methods and apparatus substantially reduce air flow
across an interior door surface between flow paths (e.g., an APU
inlet duct, an APU cooling duct) of a dual flow APU inlet, thereby
enabling the flow paths to operate independently. In some examples,
the example door includes an integral isolation panel (e.g., the
isolation panel is coupled to the door) that extends past an end of
an internal divider. Thus, the isolation panel at least partially
overlaps the internal divider to effectively divide air streams
flowing into the respective air flow paths. In some examples, the
isolation panel substantially separates air flowing to different
customers (e.g., APU inlet, an eductor and/or an APU cooling duct)
to increase the performance of the APU and/or the APU inlet. In
some examples, the performance of the APU and/or the APU inlet is
increased by substantially preventing an air flow path operating at
a higher mass flow rate from negatively effecting an adjacent air
flow path operating at a lower mass flow rate. For example, the
isolation panel prevents the air flow path operating at the higher
mass flow rate from reducing a total pressure recovery and/or
increasing flow distortion for the air flow path operating at the
lower mass flow rate.
[0022] As set forth herein, an example apparatus includes an air
inlet for an aircraft including a first air flow path and a second
air flow path. The first air flow path is immediately adjacent the
second air flow path. The first air flow path is at least partially
separated from the second air flow path by a first panel at least
partially positioned within the air inlet. The example apparatus
includes a door hingably coupled adjacent the air inlet. The door
includes a second panel extending from an interior surface of the
door to substantially prevent air from flowing across the interior
surface between the first air flow path and the second air flow
path.
[0023] In some examples, when the door is in an open position, a
portion of the second panel is to extend into the air inlet past an
edge of the first panel. In some examples, the first air flow path
is an auxiliary power unit inlet and the second air flow path is an
auxiliary power unit cooling duct inlet. In some examples, the
apparatus also includes an actuator to actuate the door between an
open position and a closed position. In some examples, the door
also includes opposing side panels extending from the interior
surface, the second panel being positioned between the side panels.
In some examples, the second panel is offset relative the first
panel to enable the second panel to be received within one of the
first air flow path or the second air flow path when the door is in
a closed position. In some examples, the second panel is to
substantially prevent a total pressure recovery reduction for the
second air flow path when the first air flow path is operating at a
higher mass flow rate than the second air flow path.
[0024] An example method includes flowing air into a dual flow
auxiliary power unit inlet and separating the air flow into a first
air flow path and a second air flow path using a panel extending
from an inlet door. In some examples, the panel substantially
prevents air from flowing across an interior surface of the inlet
door between the first air flow path and the second air flow path.
In some examples, the panel substantially prevents a total pressure
recovery reduction for the second air flow path when the first air
flow path is operating at a higher mass flow rate than the second
air flow path.
[0025] An example apparatus includes an air inlet for an aircraft
having a first air flow path and a second air flow path. The first
air flow path is at least partially separated from the second air
flow path by a first panel at least partially positioned within the
air inlet. The apparatus includes a door hingably coupled adjacent
the air inlet and means for substantially preventing a total
pressure recovery reduction of the second air flow path when the
first air flow path is operating at a higher mass flow rate than
the second air flow path. In some examples, the means for
substantially preventing the total pressure recovery reduction
includes a second panel extending from an interior surface of the
door. In some examples, the second panel is offset relative the
first panel to enable the second panel to be received within one of
the first air flow path or the second air flow path when the door
is in a closed position.
[0026] In some examples, the means for substantially preventing the
total pressure recovery reduction is to substantially prevent air
from flowing across an interior surface of the door between the
first air flow path and the second air flow path. In some examples,
the apparatus also includes an actuator to actuate the door between
an open position and a closed position. In some examples, the door
further also includes opposing side panels extending from an
interior surface of the door. In some examples, the means for
substantially preventing the total pressure recovery reduction is
to be positioned between the side panels.
[0027] An example apparatus includes an air inlet for an aircraft
comprising a first air flow path and a second air flow path, the
first air flow path being immediately adjacent the second air flow
path, the first air flow path at least partially separated from the
second air flow path by a first panel positioned within the air
inlet; and a door hingably coupled adjacent the air inlet, the door
comprising a second panel oriented substantially parallel to the
first panel and extending from an interior surface of the door to
substantially prevent air from flowing across the interior surface
between the first air flow path and the second air flow path, a
portion of the second panel to extend into the air inlet past an
edge of the first panel when the door is in a fully open
position.
[0028] In some examples, the first air flow path comprises an
auxiliary power unit inlet and the second air flow path comprises
an auxiliary power unit cooling duct inlet. In some examples, the
apparatus includes an actuator to actuate the door between the
fully open position and a closed position. In some examples, the
door includes opposing side panels extending from the interior
surface, the second panel being positioned between the side panels.
In some examples, the second panel is offset relative the first
panel to enable the second panel to be received within one of the
first air flow path or the second air flow path when the door is in
a closed position.
[0029] In some examples, when the door is in the fully open
position, respective ones of the opposing side panels extend into
the air inlet to at least partially cover corresponding ones of
corners formed between opposing lateral edges of the door and a
surface surrounding the air inlet. In some examples, the opposing
side panels are substantially parallel to one another and to the
second panel. In some examples, a portion of the second panel
includes an edge extending away from the interior surface of the
door, a portion of the edge of the second panel extending further
into the air inlet than corresponding portions of corresponding
edges of extends beyond the opposing side panels. In some examples,
the second panel is to substantially prevent a total pressure
recovery reduction for the second air flow path when the first air
flow path is operating at a higher mass flow rate than the second
air flow path. In some examples, the first panel is adjacent the
second panel when the door is in a closed position.
[0030] An example method includes flowing air into an auxiliary
power unit air inlet, the air inlet including a first air flow path
and a second air flow path, the first air flow path being
immediately adjacent the second air flow path, the first air flow
path at least partially separated from the second air flow path by
a first panel positioned within the air inlet; and directing the
air flow into the first air flow path and the second air flow path
using a second panel oriented substantially parallel to the first
panel and extending from an interior surface of an inlet door
hingably coupled adjacent the air inlet, a portion of the second
panel to extend into the air inlet past an edge of the first panel
when the inlet door is in a fully open position.
[0031] In some examples, the second panel substantially prevents
air from flowing across the interior surface of the inlet door
between the first air flow path and the second air flow path. In
some examples, the second panel substantially prevents a total
pressure recovery reduction for the second air flow path when the
first air flow path is operating at a higher mass flow rate than
the second air flow path.
[0032] An example apparatus, comprising an air inlet for an
aircraft comprising a first air flow path and a second air flow
path, the first air flow path at least partially separated from the
second air flow path by a first panel positioned within the air
inlet; and a door hingably coupled adjacent the air inlet, the door
comprising means for substantially preventing a total pressure
recovery reduction for the second air flow path when the first air
flow path is operating at a higher mass flow rate than the second
air flow path, the means for substantially preventing the total
pressure recovery reduction to extend into the air inlet past an
edge of the first panel when the door is in a fully open
position.
[0033] In some examples, the means for substantially preventing the
total pressure recovery reduction comprises a second panel
extending from an interior surface of the door. In some examples,
the second panel is offset relative to the first panel to enable
the second panel to be received within one of the first air flow
path or the second air flow path when the door is in a closed
position. In some examples, the means for substantially preventing
the total pressure recovery reduction is to substantially prevent
air from flowing across an interior surface of the door between the
first air flow path and the second air flow path. In some examples,
the apparatus includes an actuator to actuate the door between the
fully open position and a closed position. In some examples, the
door includes opposing side panels extending from an interior
surface of the door. In some examples, the means for substantially
preventing the total pressure recovery reduction is positioned
between the side panels.
[0034] An example apparatus, includes a door selectively covering a
first flow path and a second flow path, the door including: a first
panel extending from a first side of the door, when the door is in
a fully open position, the first panel to cover a first corner
formed between the door and a first surface defining the first flow
path; a second panel extending from a second side of the door, when
the door is in the fully open position, the second panel to cover a
second corner formed between the door and a second surface defining
the second flow path; and a third panel to extend toward at least
one of the first flow path or the second flow path, when the door
is in the fully open position, the third panel to extend into the
at least one of the first flow path or the second flow path. In
some examples, the first panel, the second panel, and the third
panel are substantially parallel to one another and are to be
substantially parallel to corresponding surfaces defining at least
one of the first flow path or the second flow path.
[0035] Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.
* * * * *